Chapter 18
The morning sun rose over the city, casting a brilliant, pristine light that completely erased the shadows of the violent night. Aldric stood in his executive boardroom, high above the metropolis, bathed in the cinematic, non-yellowing glow of his conquered empire.
Marcus stepped into the room, his dark suit impeccable. "The operation at the docks was a complete success, Boss. Richard is currently in federal custody, screaming for a plea deal. The cartel lieutenants are dead."
"And Heloise?" Aldric asked, his voice objective and cold.
"She was picked up by local police wandering the highway in her torn dress. She tried to claim you assaulted her, but given the overwhelming evidence of her extortion and the hitmen she hired, they placed her under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder. She is in county jail."
Aldric nodded slowly, feeling a profound, heavy satisfaction. He had surgically removed the cancer from his life and protected his daughter.
"What about the Roman Syndicate?" Marcus asked, stepping closer to the glass table. "Don Roman is not going to let the loss of his men and his money slide. He controls the entire eastern seaboard."
"Let him try to control me," Aldric whispered, a dark, terrifying smile touching his lips. "We froze his offshore accounts. His liquidity is paralyzed. He is a wounded animal, and wounded animals make mistakes."
The massive digital monitor on the boardroom wall suddenly flickered. The corporate logo vanished, replaced by a secure, heavily encrypted video feed.
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An older, ruthless man with a scarred face and a tailored suit appeared on the screen. It was Don Roman.
"Aldric Vance," Roman rasped, his voice dripping with venom. "You have made a very grave miscalculation."
